| One of the most difficult forms of anxiety disorder | | | | may occur within two or three months, in some |
| to deal with is post-traumatic stress disorder, first | | | | cases, it may be years before symptoms develop. |
| recognized as shell shock and battle fatigue. These | | | | And not every victim of these circumstances |
| names themselves indicate a lack of understanding of | | | | develops post traumatic stress disorder; for many |
| what was happening with these soldiers, many of | | | | the symptoms may stop after a month or so. In |
| whom were accused of "faking" symptoms to avoid | | | | such instances, the web is a source for programs |
| being sent back to active duty. In those early days it | | | | dealing with these anxiety related symptoms, that |
| was quite disconcerting to watch pictures of soldiers | | | | may possible prevent the onset of PTSD. |
| "reliving" their traumatic experiences as though they | | | | Post traumatic stress disorder occurs only after the |
| were still happening. While it now is diagnosed as | | | | symptoms have persisted over months and years. |
| "post-traumatic stress", it is that same debilitating | | | | Research indicates that "because the root cause of |
| disorder that literally ruined the lives of so many | | | | PTSD is at the point of the stress itself", where the |
| military personnel. However, today, lives do not have | | | | body system overloads with stress, shuts down and |
| to be ruined by this anxiety-related disorder if the | | | | then restarts, later under certain conditions the mind |
| situation is dealt with immediately and if treatment | | | | returns to that point of starting and stopping, causing |
| focuses on the root cause rather than individual | | | | the individual to relive what is called the "flashbacks". |
| symptoms. We will briefly look at some causes and | | | | These flashbacks, triggered through the five senses, |
| effects, symptoms, and treatments of post | | | | are considered to be the most disturbing symptom, |
| traumatic stress. | | | | lasting from minutes to hours. |
| Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be | | | | It is imperative that individuals experiencing post |
| experienced by individuals either witnessing or actually | | | | traumatic stress disorder be treated immediately |
| experiencing some traumatic catastrophe. Such | | | | before the trauma has a chance to be suppressed, |
| calamities might be: war, death of a parent or other | | | | that is, hidden somewhere in the mind. Reconnection |
| loved one, major disaster (fatal accident, tornado, | | | | with loved ones is especially important. Thankfully, |
| school attacks or killings), rape, child abuse, or any | | | | many treatments are available for dealing with |
| form of abuse against humanity. Quite | | | | anxiety-related disorders. While some approaches |
| understandably, post traumatic stress disorder | | | | focus on eliminating the disorder, others, such as |
| produces other results such as: extreme fear, | | | | cognitive behavior programs, focus on managing and |
| anxiety, guilt, feelings of loss of control, anger, | | | | coping with the stress or anxiety disorder. |
| depression, which can lead to nightmares, amnesia, | | | | Psychotherapy is perhaps the usual treatment; group |
| and even personality changes, to name just a few. | | | | therapy helps especially in reconnecting with a social |
| With children, some after effects can be learning | | | | network, and drama therapy provides a means of |
| disabilities, self abuse and attention difficulties. | | | | productively reenacting the event and dealing with |
| Research reveals two specific symptoms of post | | | | the triggers and emotions of the trauma; faith based |
| traumatic stress labeled arousal and avoidance | | | | support groups offer spiritual as well as emotional and |
| symptoms. The arousal symptoms are moodiness, | | | | physical healing; medications and natural supplements |
| lack of concentration and memory, over-reactions | | | | are also available as treatment for post traumatic |
| and proneness toward violence while the avoidance | | | | stress disorder. |
| symptoms are unwillingness or inability to remember | | | | Post traumatic stress disorder must be recognized |
| the trauma, and reluctance to feel or talk about | | | | for what it is: an anxiety related condition that can |
| emotions. When discussing symptoms, it is important | | | | and must be treated. Life is a precious commodity |
| to understand that although sometimes symptoms | | | | and is meant to be lived to its fullest! |